HOWARD JOHNSON

HOWARD JOHNSON, SR of Bessemer, AL died August 12, 2014 at the age of 87. He began working in the funeral industry in 1944 under his mentor, Dr. Arthur George Gaston at his Smith and Gaston Funeral Home. In 1967, he purchased the firm from Gaston, renaming it Johnson Memorial Funeral Directors, which continues to be operated by his son, Howard Johnson, Jr. He was past treasurer of the Alabama Board of Funeral Service, life member and past District 5 Governor of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association and member of the Alabama Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. He graduated from the Jefferson State Community College of Funeral Service and was instrumental in developing Leeds Unity Funeral Service in Leeds, AL.